Stewardship

09Oct
Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, you that stand by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the Lord; the Lord who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion.
-Psalm 134:1-3


Psalm 134 caused me to wonder about the meaning of the “House of the Lord.” I learned that within the Old Testament context of the House of Israel, the House of the Lord is symbolized by the Tabernacle and the Temple. The New Testament, with the ascension of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit, expands the House of the Lord to refer to the church as the dwelling place of God. And beyond that is Christ making His home in our hearts so that we are the eternal dwelling place of God, as a passage in Ephesians points out. 


During the liturgical year, we experience the crisp glory of Christmas and the joy of the Resurrection at Easter. Those days and seasons fill our hearts, yet isn’t the significance of both to remain within us beyond the celebrations? In thinking of stewardship, it occurred that there are parallels. These are all enduring states of the heart and mind that carry beyond the designated “season.” Every day can bring Christmas birth and Easter joy and participation in the responsibility for the physical and the spiritual House of God as a reflection of Christ in our hearts. 


Another parallel cropped up: I happily wrote tuition checks for my children. We were providing the great opportunity and gift of education. The thrill and pride of graduations awaited, along with futures. That’s the micro world. Amplify the sound to insure the futures of the House of God, the joy of the Trinity community, and the reverberations of the challenging work of the faithful beyond these doors. That’s the music on the macro scale we want to hear and enable. There seem to be lots of doors and floors in the House of the Lord. 


Musical Reflection - How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place - J. Brahms - Exultate Festival Choir


Gracious God, help me to see myself as a steward of your grace and mercy, and an important thread in fabric of your Church. Inspire me to offer my heart, mind, and strength to the good works of this community; today and throughout the year. Amen.

Pentecost Stewardship

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